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DAN TRUEMAN/ IARLA O LIONAIRD: Olagon, A Cantata in Doublespeak – Dan Trueman, fiddle/ Iarla O Lionaird, vocals/ Eighth Blackbird – Cedille 

DAN TRUEMAN/ IARLA O LIONAIRD: Olagon, A Cantata in Doublespeak – Dan Trueman, fiddle/ Iarla O Lionaird, vocals/ Eighth Blackbird – Cedille 

by | Mar 1, 2018 | Classical CD Reviews

They should put a warning label on this: Listen to the end! DAN TRUEMAN/ IARLA O LIONAIRD: Olagon, A Cantata in Doublespeak – Dan Trueman, fiddle/ Iarla O Lionaird, vocals/ Eighth Blackbird – Cedille CDR 90000 174 (2 CDs), 91:09 [Distr. by Naxos] *****: I almost made a tremendous mistake after hearing the first track to this disc; I almost decided not to review it, for the cut, titled “Pillow Talk” seemed pseudo folksy, banal, and just not very interesting. A whole two discs of this did not entice me. What a terrible blunder that would have been! For the entire work, with its mélange of varied and skillful compositional techniques and styles (though that word must not be taken in too fundamentalist a manner) proves a riveting and thoroughly engaging experience OLAGÓN Cantata? Maybe. But not the way you are used to hearing. Instead the term refers more to a strictly organizational form than anything of a consistent “sameness”. There are instrumental interludes, as we might hope for considering Eighth Blackbird is involved, and the “style” (see above) for each separate piece is dictated solely by the inspiration of the moment as found in the particularities of the text. […]

HAYDN: Piano Sonatas Not. 3l, 33, 47 & 58 – John O’Conor, p. – Steinway

HAYDN: Piano Sonatas Not. 3l, 33, 47 & 58 – John O’Conor, p. – Steinway

by | Jan 9, 2017 | Classical CD Reviews

John O’Conor deftly brings out the variety and infinite charm of five Haydn sonatas.  HAYDN: Piano Sonata No. 47 in b; Piano Sonata No. 38 in F Major; Piano Sonata No. 31 in A-flat Major; Piano Sonata No. 33 in c; Piano Sonata No. 58 in C Major – John O’Conor, p. – Steinway & Sons 30058, 69:51 (11/20/16) [Distr. by Naxos] ****: Irish piano virtuoso John O’Conor (b. 1947) has assembled a delectable group of five Haydn sonatas, composed 1767 and 1789, that display his thorough knowledge of keyboard technique and his infinite capacity for musical invention.  Each of the sonatas basks in any number of variations in the course of its development, a brilliant testimony to a musical imagination in ceaseless experiment with the instrument at hand and its ability to generate sensuous form. O’Conor opens with the 1776 Sonata in b minor, one of a set published as the composer’s Op. 14. While something of Scarlatti begins the procession, the writing becomes what one scholar, H.C. Robbins Landon, calls more “expressionistic.” Sojourns into major and minor modes alternate, all accompanied by O’Conor’s jeu perle tones on his chosen Steinway instrument. At several points, the bass tones resonate […]

White – Josh at Midnight – Ekectra/Ramseur vinyl

White – Josh at Midnight – Ekectra/Ramseur vinyl

by | Aug 26, 2016 | SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews

White – Josh At Midnight – Electra EKL-102 (1956)/Ramseur RAM1-811 (2016) mono vinyl ****1/2: This is a great vinyl remastering of an iconic blues artist! (Josh White – guitar, vocals; Sam Gary – vocals; Al Hall – bass) In the annals of American country blues, there was no greater influence than Josh White. He transcended music and became a cultural icon. Among his achievements, he was the first African-American singer/guitarist to star in Hollywood films, Broadway and various segregated hotels. His record “One Meatball” was the first African-American hit to garner one million sales. White was active  in civil rights (he was an “advisor” to Franklin Delano Roosevelt) and in an unprecedented event, performed at the White House in 1941. He survived blacklisting (which ruined many Hollywood careers) (with significant career implications), and enjoyed some crossover success, especially with the blues-conscious rock and roll scene. His energetic singing and guitar histrionics (including pre-Hendrix playing with his teeth) became legendary. Rammer records has released an audiophile re-mastered version of Josh At Midnight. Initially released on Electra in 1956, the album is a joyful, expansive look at American folk, blues and gospel. The sparse arrangements frame a musical talent and charismatic performer. […]